How long did it take for a cobbler to make a pair of shoes?

Answer 1

Cobblers did not make shoes - they repaired them, often badly (hence the expression "cobbled together"). Cobblers were generally regarded as among the lowest of the low.

The medieval tradesmen known as chaucers, cordwainers, cordewaners or suers made shoes; cordwainers used the finest imported Spanish leather (known as cordovan).

The Museum of London publication "Shoes and Pattens" gives many examples of medieval shoes made in London, preserved in wet clay soils and discovered in various archaeological excavations. Details of construction, materials, sewing techniques and decoration are included.

A simple pair of turnshoes can be made in a day, but if the shoes are to have tooled, embossed or embroidered decoration they may take a few days to complete.